Five axis production line handler

ABSTRACT

A five-axis production-line handler has a handler shoulder ( 1 ) that is suspended rotatively downward from a gantry chassis ( 2 ). Two handler columns ( 4, 5 ) are spaced apart and suspended vertically downward from the handler shoulder. The handler columns terminate vertically above a production-line floor ( 6 ) for allowing horizontally circumferential positioning of the handler columns by rotation of the handler shoulder. The handler columns include hoist carriages ( 9, 10 ) that are raised and lowered by a hoist ( 7 ) for positioning item-rotation axles ( 11, 12 ) and attachment plates ( 29 ) to receive and rotate production items on an axis between the handler columns. The gantry chassis is gantry-wheel mobile on a gantry rail system for linear travel along a production line that can be linear or looped for a wide variety of production.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to five-axis handling of items on aproduction line.

[0003] 2. Relation to Prior Art

[0004] Production lines generally are structured for maintaining aproduction item, such as an aircraft engine, a rocket engine, a car, acar engine or a machine of sorts in a fixed orientation. Some productionlines provide item rotation in a single axis that is not precise andrigid for precision production. They do not allow complete, convenientand reliably precise access by production workers to all portions of anitem as it proceeds to sequential production-line stations. Specialtime-consuming production-line adaptations are usually required toprovide access to difficultly accessible areas of production items. Theitem orientation of previous production lines also does not providehandling and weighing for final inspection and crating.

[0005] There is no known five-axis production-line handler to providecomplete, convenient and reliably precise start-to-shipmentproduction-line access and handling of items in a manner taught by thisinvention.

[0006] Examples of most-closely related known but different devices aredescribed in the following patent documents: Number Date Inventor U.S.Class U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,928 Dec. 22, 1998 Kahlman et al. 212/285 U.S.Pat. No. 4,781,517 Nov. 01, 1988 Pearce et al. 414/590 U.S. Pat. No.4,466,770 Aug. 21, 1984 Peroutky 414/751 U.S. Pat. No. 4,082,191 Apr.04, 1978 Whittingham 212/59 R U.S. Pat. No. 3,987,905 Oct. 26, 1976Dechantsreiter 212/18 U.S. Pat. No. 3,887,080 Jun. 03, 1975 Wilson212/11

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Objects of patentable novelty and utility taught by thisinvention are to provide a five-axis production-line handler having:

[0008] a five-axis handler that can position and orient an item in aproduction line for designedly accurate access to all production areasof the item by production workers and production equipment sequentially;

[0009] an optionally looped production line with an optional pluralityof the five-axis handlers sequentially in a production-line loop forsequentially staged production of a plurality of production items;

[0010] optional computer-controllable five-axis positioning of theproduction item for its designedly robotic and manual production and/orassembly in the production line;

[0011] machinery rigidity and unyielding positioning of the productionitem for withstanding pressures of computer-automated, robotic andmanual production operations which can include metal machining, cutting,drilling, welding, grinding, attachment of fasteners and attachment ofcomponents to the production item in the production line;

[0012] a production-line terminal with optional shipment weighing andhandling for packaging and crating; and

[0013] a production line that can be adapted to automated and manualproduction of a wide selection of items for which the production lineand the five-axis production handler can be sized, shaped and structuredpredeterminedly.

[0014] This invention accomplishes these and other objectives with aproduction-line handler having a handler shoulder that is suspendedrotatively downward from a gantry chassis. Two handler columns arespaced apart and suspended vertically downward from the handlershoulder. The handler columns terminate vertically above aproduction-line floor for allowing horizontally circumferentialpositioning of the handler columns by rotation of the handler shoulder.The handler columns include a hoist that raises and lowers a hoistcarriage having item-rotation axles that are oppositely disposedhorizontally on the handler columns for receiving and rotatingproduction items on an axis between the handler columns. The gantrychassis is gantry-wheel mobile on a gantry rail system for linear travelalong a production line. The production-line handler has fivepositioning axes which include (1) linear from horizontally forward andrearward travel of the gantry chassis along the production line on thegantry rail system, (2) laterally horizontal from travel of the gantrychassis perpendicularly to parallel production lines of a closed-loopproduction line for which the gantry rail system has a closed loop, (3)vertical from vertical travel of the item-rotation axles intermediatehigh and low portions of the handler columns, (4) vertical-axis rotationby rotation of the handler shoulder on the gantry chassis, and (5)horizontal-axis rotation by rotation of the production item on theitem-rotation axles on the handler columns. Optionally, a sixth axis canbe provided by lateral travel of the handler shoulder from-side-to-sideintermediate sides of the production line. Additionally optional, aseventh axis can be provided by separately vertical travel of theitem-rotation axles for askew orientation of a production itemintermediate the handler columns. The rail system can be linear for asingle production-line handler or looped for continuous production. Theloop production can include an optional plurality of the production-linehandlers that follow each other at an appropriate distance apart in aproduction-cycle loop. The five-axis production-line handler can bestructured for designedly rigid and unyielding positioning of theproduction item for withstanding pressures of computer-automated,robotic and manual production operations that can include metal cutting,drilling, welding, grinding, attachment of fasteners, attachment ofcomponents, surfacing, painting, inspection, weighing and packaging ofthe production item in the production line.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] This invention is described by appended claims in relation todescription of a preferred embodiment with reference to the followingdrawings which are explained briefly as follows:

[0016]FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway end elevation view with a handlershoulder pivoted perpendicular to two gantry channel beams of a chassisrail system;

[0017]FIG. 2 is the FIG. 1 illustration with the handler shoulderpivoted parallel to the two gantry channel beams and showing a cutawayelevation view of a handler column suspended from the handler shoulder;

[0018]FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway end elevation view with a positionalhandler shoulder with the two handler columns on sideways for beingpositioned select distances apart;

[0019]FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway top view with the handler shoulderpivoted parallel to a gantry cross rod and perpendicular to the gantrychannel beams;

[0020]FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway top view with the handler shoulderpivoted angularly to the gantry cross rod and to the gantry channelbeams;

[0021]FIG. 6 is a top view of a straight production line with the gantrychannel beams being positioned in line intermediate a start and a finishof the straight production line;

[0022]FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway side elevation view of the straightproduction line of FIG. 6;

[0023]FIG. 8 is a top view of a loop production line;

[0024]FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of the loop production line;

[0025]FIG. 10 is a fragmentary partially cutaway end view of a gantrychannel beam attached to a gantry cross rod and supporting a side of agantry chassis;

[0026]FIG. 11 is a fragmentary partially cutaway end view of an end dualbeam attached to a mobile carriage on an end cross rod and supporting agantry chassis for transporting the gantry chassis and components of thefive-axis production-line handler intermediate a first side section anda second side section of the loop production line;

[0027]FIG. 12 is a partially cutaway fragmentary top view of a gantrychassis supported by a tandem-gantry carriage that is mobile in thegantry channel beams; and

[0028]FIG. 13 is a partially cutaway fragmentary side view of the FIG.12 illustration.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0029] Listed numerically below with reference to the drawings are termsused to describe features of this invention. These terms and numbersassigned to them designate the same features throughout thisdescription.

[0030]1. Handler shoulder 33. Column sliders

[0031]2. Gantry chassis 34. Column positioner rod

[0032]3. Shoulder axle 35. Positional motor

[0033]4. First handler column 36. Positioning nuts

[0034]5. Second handler column 37. Gantry wheels

[0035]6. Production-line floor 38. Juxtaposed-wheel axles

[0036]7. Hoist 39. Chassis supports

[0037]8. Hoist lifter 40. Channel aperture

[0038]9. First hoist carriage 41. Channel floor

[0039]10. Second hoist carriage 42. Gantry channel beams

[0040]11. First item-rotation axle 43. Top wall

[0041]12. Second item-rotation axle 44. Side walls

[0042]13. Shoulder rotator 45. Chassis drive unit

[0043]14. Motorized shoulder rotator 46. Beam wheel

[0044]15. Parallel slideway surfaces 47. Straight production line

[0045]16. Parallel sliders 48. Dual beams

[0046]17. First pivotal attachment 49. Stiffener beams

[0047]18. Second pivotal attachment 50. Beam connectors

[0048]19. Hoist pivotal attachment 51. Gantry cross rods

[0049]20. Item rotator 52. Gantry pillars

[0050]21. Rotational switch 53. Loop production line

[0051]22. Manual-rotation handle 54. First side section

[0052]23. First brake 55. First end section

[0053]24. Second brake 56. Second side section

[0054]25. First item holder 57. Second end section

[0055]26. Second item holder 58. End dual beams

[0056]27. First-axle hub 59. Mobile carriage

[0057]28. Second-axle hub 60. Cross gantry beams

[0058]29. Attachment plate 61. End cross rods

[0059]30. Flexible fasteners 62. End pillars

[0060]31. Positional handler shoulder 63. Side-guide wheels

[0061]32. Shoulder slideways 64. Set screw

[0062] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a handler shoulder 1 is hangablerotatively downward from a gantry chassis 2 that is rotational on ashoulder axle 3 intermediate the gantry chassis 2 and the handlershoulder 1. The handler shoulder 1 and the shoulder axle 3 can be can bearticulated, structured, sized and proportioned for handlingpredetermined sizes, weights and structures of production items,including jet engines, cars and equipment, while their production stepsand processes proceed. The shoulder axle 3 shown is representative of aplate-like axle having a large diameter that can be supportedhorizontally and vertically for short overall construction in contrastto being optionally longer and thinner for proportionately higheroverall construction. Correspondingly, the gantry chassis 2 can bearticulated, structured, sized and proportioned for mobility on adesignedly mating gantry rail system.

[0063] Two handler columns are spaced apart and suspended verticallydownward from the handler shoulder 1. The two handler columns include afirst handler column 4 that is suspended vertically downward from afirst portion of the handler shoulder 1 on a first side of the shoulderaxle 3 and a second handler column 5 that is suspended verticallydownward from a second portion of the handler shoulder 1 on a secondside of the shoulder axle 3. The handler columns terminate verticallyabove a production-line floor 6 for allowing horizontallycircumferential positioning of the handler columns by rotation of thehandler shoulder 1 about a vertical axis of the shoulder axle 3.

[0064] A hoist 7 having a first hoist portion proximate the firsthandler column 4 and a second hoist portion proximate the second handlercolumn 5 has a hoist lifter 8 intermediate the handler shoulder 1 andthe hoist 7. The hoist lifter 8 is articulated for raising and loweringthe hoist 7 on the handler columns selectively. A chain pulley shown isrepresentative of lift or elevator systems that can include a pulleysystem or a screw system for the hoist 7. The hoist lifter 8 can includea motorized pulley intermediate the handler shoulder 1 and the hoist 7.Also included for the hoist 7 can be a weighing device.

[0065] A first hoist carriage 9 is attached to the first hoist portionand a second hoist carriage 10 is attached to the second hoist portion.The first hoist carriage 9 is in vertical-travel contact with the firsthandler column 4 and the second hoist carriage 10 is in vertical-travelcontact with the second handler column 5. The hoist carriages caninclude a wide selection of slideway contact and or roller contact withthe handler columns. Representations of both slideway and roller contactare shown. Bearing surfaces between the hoist carriages and the handlercolumns also can be full-length or sectional.

[0066] A first item-rotation axle 11 is attached rotatively to the firsthoist carriage 9 and a second item-rotation axle 12 is attachedrotatively to the second hoist carriage 10. The item-rotation axles areused for rotating production items in order to access bottom, side andtop portions of the production items for steps of production and forsound identification of stray parts and tools in the production items.

[0067] A shoulder rotator, which can include a motorized shoulderrotator 13, on the gantry chassis 2 is employed for rotating the handlershoulder 1 selectively on the shoulder axle 3. The motorized shoulderrotator 13 can be programmable, radio controlled, switch controlled andcan include predetermined circumferential indexing. The shoulder axle 3can be made to include functions similar to a computer-controlled rotarytable and/or indexing table for circumferential positioning of thehandler shoulder 1.

[0068] The two handler columns can include parallel slideway surfaces 15with the first hoist carriage 9 including parallel sliders 16 in slidingcontact with parallel slideway surfaces 15 of the first handler column 4and with the second hoist carriage 10 including the parallel sliders 16in sliding contact with parallel slideway surfaces 15 of the secondhandler column 5. The sliders and slideways shown are representative ofa plurality of traveling-contact systems and physical principles withfriction-reduction contact that can be selected and designed for theparallel slideway surfaces 15 and parallel sliders 16.

[0069] The first hoist portion can include a first pivotal attachment 17to the first hoist carriage 9, the second hoist portion can include asecond pivotal attachment 18 to the second host carriage 10 and thehoist 7 can include a hoist pivotal attachment 19 to the hoist lifter 8for askew orientation of attachment of a production item, which is notshown, intermediate the first item-rotation axle 11 and the seconditem-rotation axle 12.

[0070] The first item-rotation axle II includes an item rotator 20 forrotating the first item-rotation axle 11, any item on the firstitem-rotation axle 11 and any item attached to the first item-rotationaxle 11 and to the second item-rotation axle 12 to which a productionitem is attached. The item rotator 20 can include a motorized rotatorwhich can include electrical motorization with a rotational switch 21positioned on at least one of the two handler columns. Additionally, theitem rotator 20 can include a manual-rotation handle 22 for emergencyand special situations.

[0071] The first item-rotation axle 11 includes a first brake 23 formaintaining a desired circumferential positioning of the firstitem-rotation axle 11, any item on the first item-rotation axle 11 andany item attached to the first item-rotation axle 11 and to the seconditem-rotation axle 12. The second item-rotation axle 12 includes asecond brake 24 for maintaining a desired circumferential positioning ofthe second item-rotation axle 12, any item on the second item-rotationaxle 12 and any item attached to the second item-rotation axle 12 and tothe first item-rotation axle 11.

[0072] The first item-rotation axle 11 includes a first item holder 25and the second rotation axle 12 includes a second item holder 26 forholding select production items intermediate the first item holder 25and the second item holder 26 while the select production items arebeing produced selectively.

[0073] The first item holder 25 includes a first-axle hub 27 that isaffixable circumferentially and linearly on the first item-rotation axle11 with a fastener that can include a set screw 64. Correspondingly, thesecond item holder 26 includes a second-axle hub 28 that is affixablecircumferentially and linearly on the second item-rotation axle 12. Afirst attachment member, which can include an attachment plate 29, isaffixable to the first-axle hub 27. A second attachment member, whichcan include the attachment plate 29 is affixable to the second-axle hub28. The first attachment member can include an item-contact area that isarticulated for receiving, positioning and being attached to a firstportion of a production item and the second attachment member includesan item-contact area that is articulated for receiving, positioning andbeing attached to a second portion of a production item.

[0074] The first attachment member and the second attachment member arepreferably affixed to the first-axle hub 27 and to the second-axle hub28 with flexible fasteners 30 or an adaptation of a ball joint forallowing askew attachment of particular production items to thefirst-axle hub 27 and to the second-axle hub 28 respectively.

[0075] As shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 4-9, the handier shoulder 1 can includea fixed-size handler shoulder 1 with the handler columns being fixeddistances apart and fixed distances outward radially from the shoulderaxle 3. Optionally, as shown in FIG. 3, the handler shoulder 1 caninclude a positional handler shoulder 31 that provides positioning ofthe first handler column 4 and the second handler column 5 selectdistances apart and outward radially from the shoulder axle 3. Thepositional handler shoulder 31 can include shoulder slideways 32 and thehandler columns can include column sliders 33 that slide on the shoulderslideways 32 for adjustment of distances of the handler columns 4 and 5apart and outwardly from the shoulder axle 3.

[0076] A column-positioner rod 34 is opposite-directionally threadedexternally and rotated by a positional motor 35 that is positioned onthe positional handler shoulder 31. The handler columns can includepositioning nuts 36 having internal threads positioned proximate thecolumn sliders 33 to receive the column-positioner rod 34 for increasingdistances of the handler columns apart by rotation of thecolumn-positioner rod 34 in a first direction and for decreasingdistances of the handler columns apart by rotation of thecolumn-positioner rod 34 in a second direction of rotation with thepositional motor 35.

[0077] Referring to FIGS. 1, 4-7 and 10-13, the five-axisproduction-line handler can include a handler shoulder 1 that is hung,as an option to being hangable, rotatively downward from a gantrychassis 2 having gantry-wheel mobility on a gantry rail system that isarticulated for a predetermined production line. The gantry rail systemincludes two gantry channel beams 42 that are articulated for thepredetermined production line. A plurality of sets of gantry wheels 37on the gantry chassis 2 are included for the gantry-wheel mobility onthe gantry channel beams 42. The plurality of the sets of the gantrywheels 37 can include juxtaposed gantry wheels 37 which are eachrotational on juxtaposed-wheel axles 38 which are shown in FIGS. 10-13.A plurality of chassis supports 39 are each attached to thejuxtaposed-wheel axle 38 intermediate the gantry wheels 37 of the setsof the gantry wheels 37.

[0078] The chassis supports 39 are each suspended downward to the gantrychassis 2 through a channel aperture 40 in each of the gantry channelbeams 42. The chassis supports 39 are attached to the gantry chassis 2for carriage support of the gantry chassis 2 with the gantry wheels 37each riding on one of two channel floors 41 which are orientedhorizontally on opposite sides of the channel aperture 40 in each of thegantry channel beams 42.

[0079] As depicted in FIG. 10, the gantry channel beams 42 each includea top wall 43 that is oriented horizontally, the two channel floors 41,and two oppositely disposed side walls 44 that are slanted inwardlyrelative to outside edges of the top wall 43 to outside edges of thechannel floors 41 which are narrower than the top wall 43. The channelfloors 41 are on opposite sides the of channel apertures 40 throughwhich the chassis supports 39 are suspended. The gantry wheels 37 arepositioned designedly close to the oppositely disposed side walls 44 forallowing rotational engagement of the gantry wheels 37 with bottomportions of the oppositely disposed side walls 44 while rotationalcontact of sides of the gantry wheels 37 with the oppositely disposedside walls 44 is prevented for precise-alignment and minimallyobstructed travel of the gantry chassis 2 on the gantry channel beams42.

[0080] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the gantry chassis 2 can include at leastone chassis drive unit 45 which includes a motor in rotationalcommunication with a beam wheel 46 that is in upwardly supported contactwith a bottom surface of at least one of the gantry channel beams 42 forpropelling the gantry chassis 2 along the gantry channel beams 42selectively.

[0081] Referring to FIGS. 1-3 and 6-7, the production line can include astraight production line 47 for which the gantry channel beams 42 caninclude dual beams 48. The gantry channel beams 42 are bottom beams andstiffener beams 49 are top beams that are positioned predeterminedlyabove the gantry channel beams 42. The gantry channel beams 42 and thestiffener beams 49 are spaced apart vertically and joined with beamconnectors 50 between them.

[0082] The dual beams 48 are suspended downward vertically from gantrycross rods 51 to which the stiffener beams 49, the top beams, areattached. The gantry cross rods 51 are oriented perpendicularly to thegantry channel beam 42 and are positioned on gantry pillars 52. Thegantry pillars 52 are spaced apart laterally at distances from outsidesof the gantry channel beam 42 for receiving the dual beams 48, thehandler shoulder 1 and production items. The gantry pillars 52 arespaced apart parallel to the dual beams 48 for a production-linedistance intermediate a beginning and an end of a straight productionline 47 predeterminedly. A beginning and an end of the straightproduction line 47 are not designated because production can be ineither direction.

[0083] Referring to FIGS. 1-3 and 8-13, the production line can includea loop production line 53 for continuous production with one or more ofthe five-axis production-line handlers being operational in the loopproduction line 53. The loop production line 53 includes a first sidesection 54, a first end section 55, a second side section 56 and asecond end section 57.

[0084] The gantry channel beams 42 for the first side section 54 and thesecond side section 56 each include the dual beams 48 with the gantrychannel beams 42 and the stiffener beams 49 spaced apart vertically andjoined with the beam connectors 50 predeterminedly. The dual beams 48for the first side section 54 and the second side section 56 includeside dual beams 48 that have side-production lengths which arepredetermined for achieving side-production objectives. The side dualbeams 48 are suspended downward vertically from horizontal gantry crossrods 51 to which the top beams, the stiffener beams 49, are attached.

[0085] The gantry cross rods 51 are oriented perpendicularly to thegantry channel beams 42 and are positioned on the gantry pillars 52. Thegantry pillars 52 are spaced apart laterally at distances from outsidesof the gantry channel beams 42 for receiving the side dual beams 48, thehandler shoulder 1 and production items. The gantry pillars 52 arespaced apart parallel to the side dual beams 48 throughoutproduction-line distances intermediate starts and finishes of the firstside section 54 and the second side section 56 respectively.

[0086] The first end section 55 and the second end section 57 eachinclude end dual beams 58 with cross-channel lengths for receiving thegantry wheels 37 with the end dual beams 58 being lined upconcentrically with the gantry channel beams 42 for transporting the enddual beams 58 and the gantry chassis 2 thereon from the first sidesection 54 to the second side section 56 at the first end section 55 andfor transporting the gantry chassis 2 thereon from the second sidesection 56 to the first side section 54 at the second end section 57 ofthe lop production line 53.

[0087] The end dual beams 58 for the first end section 55 and for thesecond end section 57 are affixable to mobile carriages 59 on crossgantry beams 60 which are suspended from end cross rods 61 on endpillars 62 intermediate the first side section 54 and the second sidesection 56.

[0088] Production can proceed in either direction and can be made tobegin at any point on the loop production line 53.

[0089] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 12-13, the gantry wheels 37 can betandem on chassis supports 39 which can house tandem gantry wheels 37and side-guide wheels 63. Preferably the gantry wheels 37, whether dualand/or tandem, are positioned proximate each of four corners of thegantry chassis 2.

[0090] A new and useful five-axis production-line handler having beendescribed, all such foreseeable modifications, adaptations,substitutions of equivalents, mathematical possibilities of combinationsof parts, pluralities of parts, applications and forms thereof asdescribed by the following claims and not precluded by prior art areincluded in this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A five-axis production-line handler comprising: ahandler shoulder that is hangable rotatively downward from a gantrychassis; the handler shoulder being rotational on a shoulder axleproximate the gantry chassis and the handler shoulder; the gantrychassis being articulated for mobility on a gantry rail system; twohandler columns that are spaced apart and suspended vertically downwardfrom the handler shoulder; the two handler columns including a firsthandler column that is suspended vertically downward from a firstportion of the handler shoulder on a first side of the shoulder axle anda second handler column that is suspended vertically downward from asecond portion of the handler shoulder on a second side of the shoulderaxle; the handler columns terminating vertically above a production-linefloor for allowing horizontally circumferential positioning of thehandler columns by rotation of the handler shoulder about a verticalaxis of the shoulder axle; a hoist having a first hoist portionproximate the first handler column and a second hoist portion proximatethe second handler column; a hoist lifter intermediate the handlershoulders and the hoist; the hoist lifter being articulated for raisingand lowering the hoist on the handler columns selectively; a first hoistcarriage attached to the first hoist portion; a second hoist carriageattached to the second hoist portion; the first hoist carriage being intraveling contact with the first handler column and the second hoistcarriage being in traveling contact with the second handler column; afirst item-rotation axle attached to the first hoist carriage; and asecond item-rotation axle attached to the second hoist carriage.
 2. Thefive-axis production-line handler of claim 1 and further comprising: ashoulder rotator on the gantry chassis for rotating the handler shoulderselectively on the shoulder axle.
 3. The five-axis production-linehandler of claim 2 wherein: the shoulder rotator includes a motorizedshoulder rotator.
 4. The five-axis production-line handler of claim 3wherein: the motorized shoulder rotator includes programmable shoulderrotation.
 5. The five-axis production-line handler of claim 3 wherein:the motorized shoulder rotator includes radio-control rotation.
 6. Thefive-axis production-line handler of claim 3 wherein: the motorizedshoulder rotator includes predetermined circumferential indexing.
 7. Thefive-axis production-line handler of claim 3 wherein: the motorizedshoulder rotator includes the programmable shoulder rotation,radio-control rotation and predetermined circumferential indexing. 8.The five-axis production-line handler of claim 1 wherein: the twohandler columns include parallel slideway surfaces; the first hoistcarriage includes parallel sliders in sliding contact with parallelslideway surfaces of the first handler column; and the second hoistcarriage includes parallel sliders in sliding contact with parallelslideway surfaces of the second handler column.
 9. The five-axisproduction-line handler of claim 1 wherein: the first hoist portionincludes pivotal attachment to the first hoist carriage; the secondhoist portion includes pivotal attachment to the second host carriage;and the hoist includes pivotal attachment to the hoist lifter for askeworientation of attachment of a production item.
 10. The five-axisproduction-line handler of claim 1 wherein: the hoist lifter includes apulley intermediate the handler shoulders and the hoist.
 11. Thefive-axis production-line handler of claim 10 herein: the pulleyincludes a motorized pulley.
 12. The five-axis production-line handlerof claim 1 wherein: the first item-rotation axle includes an itemrotator for rotating the first item-rotation axle, any item on the firstitem-rotation axle and any item attached to the first item-rotation axleand to the second item-rotation axle.
 13. The five-axis production-linehandler of claim 12 wherein: the item rotator includes a motorizedrotator.
 14. The five-axis production-line handler of claim 13 wherein:the motorized rotator includes electrical motorization with a rotationalswitch positioned on at least one of the two handler columns.
 15. Thefive-axis production-line handler of claim 12 wherein: the item rotatorincludes a manual-rotation handle.
 16. The five-axis production-linehandler of claim 14 wherein: the item rotator includes a manual-rotationhandle.
 17. The five-axis production-line handler of claim 1 wherein:the first item-rotation axle includes a first brake for maintaining adesired circumferential positioning of the first item-rotation axle, anyitem on the first item-rotation axle and any item attached to the firstitem-rotation axle and to the second item-rotation axle.
 18. Thefive-axis production-line handler of claim 1 wherein: the seconditem-rotation axle includes a second brake for maintaining a desiredcircumferential positioning of the second item-rotation axle, any itemon the second item-rotation axle and any item attached to the seconditem-rotation axle and to the first item-rotation axle.
 19. Thefive-axis production-line handler of claim 1 wherein: the firstitem-rotation axle includes a first item holder and the second rotationaxle includes a second item holder for holding select production itemsintermediate the first item holder and the second item holder whilebeing produced selectively.
 20. The five-axis production-line handler ofclaim 19 wherein: the first item holder includes a first-axle hub thatis affixable circumferentially and linearly on the first item-rotationaxle; the second item holder includes a second-axle hub that isaffixable circumferentially and linearly on the second item-rotationaxle; a first attachment member, which includes an attachment plate, isaffixable to the first-axle hub; a second attachment member, whichincludes an attachment plate, is affixable to the second-axle hub; thefirst attachment member includes an item-contact area that isarticulated for receiving, positioning and being attached to a firstportion of a production item; and the second attachment member includesan item-contact area that is articulated for receiving, positioning andbeing attached to a second portion of a production item.
 21. Thefive-axis production-line handler of claim 20 wherein: the secondattachment member is affixed to the second-axle hub with flexiblefasteners for allowing askew attachment of the production item to thesecond-axle hub.
 22. The five-axis production-line handler of claim 1wherein: the handler shoulder includes a fixed-sized handler shoulderwith the handler columns being fixed distances apart and fixed distancesoutward radially from the shoulder axle.
 23. The five-axisproduction-line handler of claim 1 wherein: the handler shoulderincludes a positional handler shoulder with handler columns that arepositioned select distances apart and outward radially from the shoulderaxle.
 24. The five-axis production-line handler of claim 23 wherein: thepositional handler shoulder includes shoulder slideways and the handlercolumns include column sliders that slide on the shoulder slideways foradjustment of distances of the handler columns apart and outwardly fromthe shoulder axle.
 25. The five-axis production-line handler of claim 24and further comprising: a column-positioner rod that isopposite-directionally threaded externally and rotated by a positionalmotor proximate the shoulder axle; the handler columns includepositioning nuts having internal threads positioned proximate the columnsliders to receive the column-positioner rod for increasing distances ofthe handler columns apart by rotation of the column-positioner rod in afirst direction and for decreasing distances of the handler columnsapart by rotation of the column-positioner in a second direction ofrotation with the positional motor.
 26. A five-axis production-linehandler comprising: a handler shoulder that is hangable rotativelydownward from a gantry chassis; the handler shoulder being rotational ona shoulder axle proximate the gantry chassis and the handler shoulder;the gantry chassis being articulated for gantry-wheel mobility on agantry rail system; two handler columns that are spaced apart andsuspended vertically downward from the handler shoulder; the two handlercolumns including a first handler column that is suspended verticallydownward from a first portion of the handler shoulder on a first side ofthe shoulder axle and a second handler column that is suspendedvertically downward from a second portion of the handler shoulder on asecond side of the shoulder axle; the handler columns terminatingvertically above a production-line floor for allowing horizontallycircumferential positioning of the handler columns by rotation of thehandler shoulder about a vertical axis of the shoulder axle; a hoisthaving a first hoist portion proximate the first handler column and asecond hoist portion proximate the second handler column; a hoist lifterintermediate the handler shoulders and the hoist; the hoist lifter beingarticulated for raising and lowering the hoist on the handler columnsselectively; a first hoist carriage attached to the first hoist portion;a second hoist carriage attached to the second hoist portion; the firsthoist carriage being in traveling contact with the first handler columnand the second hoist carriage being in traveling contact with the secondhandler column; a first item-rotation axle attached to the first hoistcarriage; a second item-rotation axle attached to the second hoistcarriage; a shoulder rotator on the gantry chassis for rotating thehandler shoulder selectively on the shoulder axle; the shoulder rotatorincludes a motorized shoulder rotator; the two handler columns includeparallel slideway surfaces; the first hoist carriage includes parallelsliders in sliding contact with parallel slideway surfaces of the firsthandler column; the second hoist carriage includes parallel sliders insliding contact with parallel slideway surfaces of the second handlercolumn; the hoist lifter includes a pulley intermediate the handlershoulders and the hoist; the pulley includes a motorized pulley; thefirst item-rotation axle includes an item rotator for rotating the firstitem-rotation axle, any item on the first item-rotation axle and anyitem attached to the first item-rotation axle and to the seconditem-rotation axle; the item rotator includes a motorized rotator; thesecond item-rotation axle includes a second brake for maintaining adesired circumferential positioning of the second item-rotation axle,any item on the second item-rotation axle and any item attached to thesecond item-rotation axle and to the first item-rotation axle. the firstitem-rotation axle includes a first item holder and the second rotationaxle includes a second item holder for holding select production itemsintermediate the first item holder and the second item holder whilebeing processed selectively; the first item holder includes a first-axlehub that is affixable onto the first item-rotation axlecircumferentially and linearly; the second item holder includes asecond-axle hub that is affixable circumferentially and linearly ontothe second item-rotation axle; a first attachment member is affixable tothe first-axle hub; a second attachment member is affixable to thesecond-axle hub; the first attachment member includes an item-contactarea that is articulated for receiving, positioning and being attachedto a first portion of a production item; and the second attachmentmember includes an item-contact area that is articulated for receiving,positioning and being attached to a second portion of a production item.27. A five-axis production-line handler comprising: a handler shoulderthat is hung rotatively downward from a gantry chassis; the gantrychassis having gantry-wheel mobility on a gantry rail system; the gantryrail system being articulated for a predetermined production line; thehandler shoulder being rotational on a shoulder axle proximate thegantry chassis and the handler shoulder; two handler columns that arespaced apart and suspended vertically downward from the handlershoulder; the two handler columns including a first handler column thatis suspended vertically downward from a first portion of the handlershoulder on a first side of the shoulder axle and a second handlercolumn that is suspended vertically downward from a second portion ofthe handler shoulder on a second side of the shoulder axle; the handlercolumns terminating vertically above a production-line floor forallowing horizontally circumferential positioning of the handler columnsby rotation of the handler shoulder about a vertical axis of theshoulder axle; a hoist having a first hoist portion proximate the firsthandler column and a second hoist portion proximate the second handlercolumn; a hoist lifter intermediate the handler shoulders and the hoist;the hoist lifter being articulated for raising and lowering the hoist onthe handler columns selectively; a first hoist carriage attached to thefirst hoist portion; a second hoist carriage attached to the secondhoist portion; the first hoist carriage being in traveling contact withthe first handler column and the second hoist carriage being intraveling contact with the second handler column; a first item-rotationaxle attached to the first hoist carriage; and a second item-rotationaxle attached to the second hoist carriage.
 28. The five-axisproduction-line handler of claim 27 wherein: the gantry rail systemincludes two gantry channel beams that are articulated for thepredetermined production line; and a plurality of sets of gantry wheelson the gantry chassis are included for the gantry-wheel mobility on thegantry channel beams.
 29. The five-axis production-line handler of claim28 wherein: the plurality of the sets of the gantry wheels includegantry wheels which are each rotational on juxtaposed-wheel axles; aplurality of chassis supports are each attached to a juxtaposed-wheelaxle intermediate gantry wheels of the sets of the gantry wheels; thechassis supports are each suspended downward to the gantry chassisthrough a channel aperture in each of the gantry channel beams; and thechassis supports are attached to the gantry chassis for carriage supportof the gantry chassis with the gantry wheels each riding on one of twochannel floors which are oriented horizontally on opposite sides of thechannel aperture in each of the gantry channel beams.
 30. The five-axisproduction-line handler of claim 29 wherein: the gantry channel beamseach include a top wall that is oriented horizontally, the two channelfloors, and two oppositely disposed side walls that are slanted inwardlyfrom outside edges of the top wall to outside edges of the channelfloors which are narrower than the top wall; the channel floors are onopposite sides of channel apertures through which the chassis supportsare suspended; and the gantry wheels are positioned designedly close tothe oppositely disposed side walls for allowing rotational engagement ofthe gantry wheels with bottom portions of the oppositely disposed sidewalls while rotational contact of sides of the gantry wheels with theoppositely disposed side walls is prevented for precise-alignment andminimally obstructed travel of the gantry chassis on the gantry channelbeams.
 31. The five-axis production-line handler of claim 29 wherein:the gantry chassis includes at least one chassis drive unit; the chassisdrive unit includes a motor in rotational communication with a beamwheel; and the beam wheel is in upwardly supported contact with a bottomsurface of at least one of the gantry channel beams for propelling thegantry chassis along the gantry channel beams selectively.
 32. Thefive-axis production-line handler of claim 27 wherein: the productionline includes a straight production line.
 33. The five-axisproduction-line handler of claim 32 wherein: the gantry channel beamsinclude dual beams of which the gantry channel beams are bottom beamsand stiffener beams are top beams that are positioned predeterminedlyabove the gantry channel beams; the gantry channel beams and thestiffener beams are spaced apart vertically and joined with beamconnectors between them; the gantry channel beams are suspended downwardvertically from gantry cross rods to which the top beams are attached;the gantry cross rods are oriented perpendicularly to the gantry channelbeam and are positioned on gantry pillars; the gantry pillars are spacedapart laterally at distances from outsides of the gantry channel beamsfor receiving the dual beams, the handler shoulders and productionitems; and the gantry pillars are spaced apart parallel to the dualbeams for a production-line distance intermediate a beginning and an endof a production line predeterminedly.
 34. The five-axis production-linehandler of claim 27 wherein: the production line includes a loopproduction line for continuous production with one or more of thefive-axis production-line handlers being operational in the loopproduction line.
 35. The five-axis production-line handler of claim 34wherein: the loop production line includes a first side section, a firstend section, a second side section and a second end section; the gantrychannel beams for the first side section and the second side sectioneach include the dual beams with the gantry channel beams and thestiffener beams spaced apart vertically and joined with the beamconnectors predeterminedly; the dual beams for the first side sectionand the second side section include side dual beams that haveside-production lengths which are predetermined for achievingside-production objectives; the side dual beams are suspended downwardvertically from horizontal gantry cross rods to which the top beams areattached; the gantry cross rods are oriented perpendicularly to thegantry channel beams and are positioned on the gantry pillars; thegantry pillars are spaced apart laterally at distances from outsides ofthe gantry channel beams for receiving the side dual beams, the handlershoulders and production items; the gantry pillars are spaced apartparallel to the side dual beams throughout production-line distancesintermediate starts and finishes of the first side section and thesecond side section respectively; the first end section and the secondend section each include end dual beams with cross-channel lengths forreceiving the gantry wheels with the end dual beams being lined upconcentrically with the gantry channel beams for transporting the enddual beams and the five-axis production-line handler thereon from thefirst side section to the second side section at the first end sectionand for transporting the gantry chassis and the five-axisproduction-line handler thereon from the second side section to thefirst side section at the second end section of the production loop; andthe end dual beams for the first end section and for the second endsection are affixable to mobile carriages on cross gantry beams whichare suspended from end cross rods on end pillars intermediate the firstside section and the second side section.
 36. A five-axisproduction-line handler comprising: a handler shoulder that is hungrotatively downward from a gantry chassis; the gantry chassis havinggantry-wheel mobility on a gantry rail system; the gantry rail systembeing articulated for a predetermined production line; the handlershoulder being rotational on a shoulder axle proximate the gantrychassis and the handler shoulder; two handler columns that are spacedapart and suspended vertically downward from the handler shoulder; thetwo handler columns including a first handler column that is suspendedvertically downward from a first portion of the handler shoulder on afirst side of the shoulder axle and a second handler column that issuspended vertically downward from a second portion of the handlershoulder on a second side of the shoulder axle; the handier columnsterminating vertically above a production-line floor for allowinghorizontally circumferential positioning of the handler columns byrotation of the handler shoulder about a vertical axis of the shoulderaxle; a hoist having a first hoist portion proximate the first handlercolumn and a second hoist portion proximate the second handler column; ahoist lifter intermediate the handler shoulders and the hoist; the hoistlifter being articulated for raising and lowering the hoist on thehandler columns selectively; a first hoist carriage attached to thefirst hoist portion; a second hoist carriage attached to the secondhoist portion; the first hoist carriage being in traveling contact withthe first handler column and the second hoist carriage being intraveling contact with the second handler column; a first item-rotationaxle attached to the first hoist carriage; a second item-rotation axleattached to the second hoist carriage; the gantry rail system includestwo gantry channel beams that are articulated for the predeterminedproduction line; a plurality of sets of gantry wheels on the gantrychassis are included for the gantry-wheel mobility on the gantry channelbeams; the plurality of the sets of the gantry wheels include gantrywheels which are each rotational on juxtaposed-wheel axles; a pluralityof chassis supports are each attached to a juxtaposed-wheel axleintermediate gantry wheels of the sets of the gantry wheels; the chassissupports are each suspended downward to the gantry chassis through achannel aperture in each of the gantry channel beams; the chassissupports are attached to the gantry chassis for carriage support of thegantry chassis with the gantry wheels each riding on one of two channelfloors which are oriented horizontally on opposite sides of the channelaperture in each of the gantry channel beams; the gantry channel beamseach include a top wall that is oriented horizontally, the two channelfloors, and two oppositely disposed side walls that includepredetermined-inward slanting intermediate outside edges of the top walland outside edges of the channel floors which are narrower than the topwall; the channel floors are on opposite sides of channel aperturesthrough which the chassis supports are suspended; the gantry wheels arepositioned designedly close to the oppositely disposed side walls forallowing rotational engagement of the gantry wheels with bottom portionsof the oppositely disposed side walls while rotational contact of sidesof the gantry wheels with the oppositely disposed side walls isprevented for precise-alignment and minimally obstructed travel of thegantry chassis on the gantry channel beams; the gantry chassis includesat least one chassis drive unit; the chassis drive unit includes a motorin rotational communication with a beam wheel; and the beam wheel is inupwardly supported contact with a bottom surface of at least one of thegantry channel beams for propelling the gantry chassis along the gantrychannel beams selectively.
 37. The five-axis production-line handler ofclaim 36 wherein: the production line includes a straight productionline; the gantry channel beams include dual beams of which the gantrychannel beams are bottom beams and stiffener beams are top beams thatare positioned predeterminedly above the gantry channel beams; thegantry channel beams and the stiffener beams are spaced apart verticallyand joined with beam connectors between them; the gantry channel beamsare suspended downward vertically from gantry cross rods to which thetop beams are attached; the gantry cross rods are orientedperpendicularly to the gantry channel beam and are positioned on gantrypillars; the gantry pillars are spaced apart laterally at distances fromoutsides of the gantry channel beams for receiving the dual beams, thehandler shoulders and production items; and the gantry pillars arespaced apart parallel to the dual beams for a production-line distanceintermediate a beginning and an end of a production linepredeterminedly.
 38. The five-axis production-line handler of claim 36wherein: the production line includes a loop production line forcontinuous production with one or more of the five-axis production-linehandlers being operational in the loop production line. the loopproduction line includes a first side section, a first end section, asecond side section and a second end section; the gantry channel beamsfor the first side section and the second side section each include thedual beams with the gantry channel beams and the stiffener beams spacedapart vertically and joined with the beam connectors predeterminedly;the dual beams for the first side section and the second side sectioninclude side dual beams that have side-production lengths which arepredetermined for achieving side-production objectives; the side dualbeams are suspended downward vertically from horizontal gantry crossrods to which the top beams are attached; the gantry cross rods areoriented perpendicularly to the gantry channel beams and are positionedon the gantry pillars; the gantry pillars are spaced apart laterally atdistances from outsides of the gantry channel beams for receiving theside dual beams, the handler shoulders and production items; the gantrypillars are spaced apart parallel to the side dual beams throughoutproduction-line distances intermediate starts and finishes of the firstside section and the second side section respectively; the first endsection and the second end section each include end dual beams withcross-channel lengths for receiving the gantry wheels with the end dualbeams being lined up concentrically with the gantry channel beams fortransporting the end dual beams and the five-axis production-linehandler thereon from the first side section to the second side sectionat the first end section and for transporting the gantry chassis and thefive-axis production-line handler thereon from the second side sectionto the first side section at the second end section of the productionloop; and the end dual beams for the first end section and for thesecond end section are affixable to mobile carriages on cross gantrybeams which are suspended from end cross rods on end pillarsintermediate the first side section and the second side section.
 39. Afive-axis production-line handler comprising: two handler columnsextended downward from a handler shoulder that is articulated to berotatable on a gantry chassis having gantry-wheel mobility on the gantrychassis; a hoist carriage in vertically sliding contact with the handlercolumns; a hoist lifter attached to a hoist which is attached to thehoist carriage for raising and lowering the hoist carriage on thehandler columns; a first item-rotational axle rotatable on a first ofthe two handler columns; and a second item-rotational axle rotatable ona second of the two handler columns.
 40. A five-axis production-linehandler comprising: a handler shoulder that is hung rotatively downwardfrom a gantry chassis; the gantry chassis having gantry-wheel mobilityon a gantry rail system; the gantry rail system being articulated for apredetermined production line; the handler shoulder being rotational ona shoulder axle proximate the gantry chassis and the handler shoulder;two handler columns extended downward from the handler shoulder; a hoistcarriage in vertically sliding contact with the handler columns; a hoistlifter attached to a hoist which is attached to the hoist carriage forraising and lowering the hoist carriage on the handler columns; a firstitem-rotational axle rotatable on a first of the two handler columns;and a second item-rotational axle rotatable on a second of the twohandler columns.
 41. The five-axis production-line handler of claim 40wherein: the production line includes a straight production line; thegantry rail system has gantry channel beams that include dual beams ofwhich the gantry channel beams are bottom beams and stiffener beams aretop beams that are positioned predeterminedly above the gantry channelbeams; the gantry channel beams and the stiffener beams are spaced apartvertically and joined with beam connectors between them; the gantrychannel beams are suspended downward vertically from gantry cross rodsto which the top beams are attached; the gantry cross rods are orientedperpendicularly to the gantry channel beams and are positioned on gantrypillars; the gantry pillars are spaced apart laterally at distances fromoutsides of the gantry channel beams for receiving the dual beams, thehandler shoulders and production items; and the gantry pillars arespaced apart parallel to the dual beams for a production-line distanceintermediate a beginning and an end of a production linepredeterminedly.
 42. The five-axis production-line handler of claim 40wherein: the production line includes a loop production line forcontinuous production with one or more of the five-axis production-linehandlers being operational in the loop production line; the loopproduction line includes a first side section, a first end section, asecond side section and a second end section; the gantry channel beamsfor the first side section and the second side section each include thedual beams with the gantry channel beams and the stiffener beams spacedapart vertically and joined with the beam connectors predeterminedly;the dual beams for the first side section and the second side sectioninclude side dual beams that have side-production lengths which arepredetermined for achieving side-production objectives; the side dualbeams are suspended downward vertically from horizontal gantry crossrods to which the top beams are attached; the gantry cross rods areoriented perpendicularly to the gantry channel beams and are positionedon the gantry pillars; the gantry pillars are spaced apart laterally atdistances from outsides of the gantry channel beams for receiving theside dual beams, the handler shoulders and production items; the gantrypillars are spaced apart parallel to the side dual beams throughoutproduction-line distances intermediate starts and finishes of the firstside section and the second side section respectively; the first endsection and the second end section each include end dual beams withcross-channel lengths for receiving the gantry wheels with the end dualbeams being lined up concentrically with the gantry channel beams fortransporting the end dual beams and the five-axis production-linehandler thereon from the first side section to the second side sectionat the first end section and for transporting the gantry chassis and thefive-axis production-line handler thereon from the second side sectionto the first side section at the second end section of the productionloop; and the end dual beams for the first end section and for thesecond end section are affixable to mobile carriages on cross gantrybeams which are suspended from end cross rods on end pillarsintermediate the first side section and the second side sectionrespectively.